The event was designed to underscore the need for increased creativity in Nigeria's society and the world in general.

TEDxStadiumRoad was intended to act as a launch-pad for innovative thinking in all future projects undertaken by the attendees, Stadium Road's community and its environs. We hope to make a difference through the diverse speakers that were lined up to talk; and through TED videos that were played on that day.

It is our fervent hope that the event will have a ripple effect; it will start small and all minds that are part of TEDxStadiumRoad on the 18th of May 2013, will positively influence others they meet or have dealings with, even as the event is over.

Speakers

Akpo Kentebe is the owner of the Vincent’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain, a subsidiary of Verse 29 Limited, of which he is the CEO. His company’s focus is meeting the basic needs of a large number of Nigerians, and ultimately, Africans, creating along with it, a number of industries to support production, operation and distribution of various products and services provided by the evolving business group. He helps develop corporate visions, business/strategic inputs and workable financial models for upcoming and already established businesses. He currently advises the boards of a number of local firms that represent different sub-sectors of the economy, from Telecommunication and Energy, to Education, Real Estate and Fashion. He has been involved in several projects to push Enterprise Development and Investment Education in the past, which include being a panelist on the Nigerian Campus Enterprise Challenge, an instructor at Quantum Project, a school for Entrepreneurs and a convener/instructor at The Investment Club Network (TICN), both in Port Harcourt. He worked with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) as an Electrical Engineer in the Associated Gas Gathering nodal projects and is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos.

Andre 'Blaze' Henshaw started his career in 2000 as a junior copywriter at Epoch Magazine and moved up to work in Silverbird’s Rhythm 93.7 and Virtual Media Network’s Nigezie.
During his stint with Nigezie (which ran for almost 5 years), he consulted for different companies, including British American Tobacco, Nigerian Breweries, Moet & Chandon, Coca-Cola, Skye Bank, Airtel, Nokia, Blackberry, through varied media instruments like Television, Radio and Live Events. He moved on to a partnership at Fans Connect Online, developers of the widely successful Afrinolly mobile application, currently powered by MTN where he is in charge of content generation, brand management and works closely with its digital marketing team.
With his extensive experience as a radio deejay and producer, television presenter, script writer, director, voiceover artist and cinematographer, his passion in media cannot be over-emphasized. His interests also include extreme sports, martial arts, writing and photography.

Efeoghene Ori-Jesu solves problems for a living as a young engineer with Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria. He has a Masters degree from Imperial College, London, aided by the Shell Niger Delta Scholarship program and has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Benin Nigeria, both in Petroleum Engineering. He is interested in mobile computing, writing, learning, and teaching young minds.

Professor Frank Ugiomoh is a professor of Art History and Theory at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is also a sculptor and print maker. One of the fifteen Thisday 2013 awardees considered as Nigeria’s best teachers, his academic interests lie in the historiography of art history and art criticism. He has published extensively in the above areas and recently has been concerned with the environmental issues in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. He is a consulting editor to NKA: Journal of Contemporary African Art, and Critical Interventions: Journal of African Art History and Visual Culture, all based in the United States.

Melissa Okonny embraces opportunities to globally foster wealth creation by contributing significantly to entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. A passionate and witty visionary thinker, Melissa has facilitated trainings on Personal Development, Teambuilding, and Leadership at the Teen Africa Renaissance Summer Boot-Camp, the KAPTURE Lab for teenagers; an Ashoka sponsored project, 3rd Port Harcourt City Help Fair, and several Private Secondary schools. Before joining FATE Foundation in 2008, Melissa worked with Preparation for Life (PFL) as a Career Counseling Officer. She currently heads the Training Department, FATE Foundation Port Harcourt.

Michael Adukeh is the Creative Director of Twisted Classic Concepts, a development portfolio committed to launching fresh ideas in different spheres of events. The Legends Theatre, an ‘out-of-the-box’ institution in today’s entertainment world, is just one of the off shoots of the program.
Michael is an excellent script writer, actor, producer and an accomplished communicator, with advanced knowledge and skill in media. His expertise covers music production, stage/theatre performance and comedy. As a director, with a fine blend of entrepreneurial flair and a self motivating attitude, he is dedicated to also maintaining high quality standards on all fronts and providing wholesome family entertainment.
Twisted Classic Concepts has a proven track record of delivering quality entertainment productions through stage shows and other media platforms. Under the leadership of Michael, it has hosted nine shows in the city of Port Harcourt since 2009.
He believes in encouraging innovative thinking, which can reshape the society and he hopes to achieve this through Twisted Classic Concepts.

Ngozi Anele-Ijoma

Ngozi Anele-Ijoma was born in Nigeria and resides in Earls Court, London and graduated from the London College of Fashion. She is the creative head behind Zed Eye, a revolutionary fashion label and lifestyle brand.
She is a fashion image consultant and is into image brand management. Her creations have been featured at Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model Live Show 2011, Clothes Show London 2010 and is being sold on ASOS Marketplace in UK. She wrote an editorial in Pride Magazine’s June 2010 issue, helping the magazine celebrate women of color.

Paul Foh is a peak performance coach and a customer service strategist for private and public corporations. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Katalyst Consulting, a company dedicated to helping organizations and individuals maximize their potentials. An advocate of positive change in the nation, he has spoken in numerous organizations, including First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, MTN and Oando Plc.
Paul Foh has written and published 4 books, including the bestsellers 'Creating Your Tomorrow' and '10 Secrets of Successful Young People'.

Reigner Davies

Reigner Davies is a life coach, mentor and the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of the Portrait Media Group; a company that provides web solutions, creates and manages corporate brands for both upstream and downstream Oil Companies, 3D animations and Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). He and his team are internationally certified ACE experts in web, print and video; and some of their clients include: The Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Moni Pulo Limited, The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (EDC), The Bayelsa State Government, The Global Road Safety Partnership, Nigeria.
He is also the college director of the MouldBreak learning community; and an entrepreneurial management/leadership developer, as well as the lead architect of the Box Creative Guild.

Yibo Koko is a film director with a strong academic and professional background in the Dramatic Arts. He is a creative and innovative individual with an imaginative and eclectic vision, experienced in initiating and managing highly successful events, including those designed to raise awareness on cultural and development issues. Yibo Koko has a B.A in Theatre Arts and studied Film Making at the New York Film Academy at St Catherine's College, Oxford University and Universal Studios, Hollywood, California.